U inn Berlin Hostel

World Cup 2014 Public Viewing Berlin

Posted on 12. June 2014 by U inn Berlin Hostel

The Football World Cup 2014 starts tomorrow. Unfortunately it will not take place in Berlin. But who cares. We can make a Word Cup Party even without having the actual World Cup in town. Public viewing is all over Berlin! The Berliners got the World Cup fever. But where is the best public viewing spot in Berlin? We put together a list of the top public viewing spots in Berlin.

The World Cup at Cassiopeia Beer garden

At the Cassiopeia Beer garden right in the heart of Friedrichshain you can enjoy the World Cup in a urban retreat area. Surrounded by graffiti’s and abounded buildings is the Cassiopeia on of Friedrichshains favourites.

11 Freunde WM-Quartier 2014

Public viewing in Berlin Friedrichshain 11 Freunde is a German Football Fanzine and they are famous for their public viewing Events for the World Cup or the Euro-Cup. Join them in a huge Arena right at Postbahnhof at Berlin Ostbahnhof. They not only showing the matches they also have talks, movies and Concerts. Entry to the Postbahnhof is free but don’t come too late. It will be packed!

Public viewing in Friedrichshain

Of course every single Bar/Cafe in on Simon-Dach Straße will be showing the Matches live on big or not so big screens. Just walk down the Simon-Dach Straße or along Wühlischstr. The Micro Brewery Hopes & Barleys for example is showing all the matches and serving freshly brewed beer.

Flux WM im Lido

Berlins radio station FluxFM is hosting the WM Hauptquartier at the Lido Club. With big screens indoor and outdoor, BBQ and beer. They offer the perfect environment for the World Cup. And after the matches you can just went straight to party.

Fanmeile on Brandenburger Tor

The Fanmeile at Brandenburger Tor is the biggest event in Germany. Since 2006 the Fanmeile is one of the most important public viewing spots. Hundreds of thousands of football fans will join the party on Brandenburger Tor. The Fanmeile will be open on the 16.6/ 21.6/26.6 and for all matches of the knock-out rounds and the finals.

Ein Bett für Snowden – A bed for Snowden

Posted on 6. June 2014 by U inn Berlin Hostel

Dear Edward

It has now been one year since the Washington Post and Guardian broke news about surveillance practices by the US Agency called the NSA. Before this, almost nobody here knew what the National Security Agency was. Now we know, thanks to you Edward. Unfortunately, not everybody liked what you did so you had to flee; first to Hong Kong later to Moscow. Right now it seems you are kind of stuck in Russia. There is great interest by the citizens of Germany to convince you to visit our lovely country. You revealed a great deal of information about what the NSA was doing here in Germany. Even our Chancellor Angela Merkel had to buy a new mobile phone coz her best buddy Barack was spying on her. Did she thank you for that? … No? We are sorry about that. We hope she invites you soon. If you ever find your way to Germany — maybe visiting Angela — you’ll have a place to stay.

We got always a free bed for you. See you soon!!!

Support Campact”Ein Bett für Snowden” visit Campact and offer Edward Snowden a bed.

Gulliver App, because great trips are all about the people you meet.

Posted on 16. May 2014 by U inn Berlin Hostel

What makes a trip special? Is it visiting cultural and historical sights or discovering new places to eat, drink and go out? Of course, all of that is part of a good trip but which are those unique travelling moments which you will never forget? We think that those truly memorable moments which make travelling so special are all about the new people you meet and the experience you share with them.

At U inn Berlin Hostel, we know that social atmosphere matters. You can meet fellow travellers in our comfy common area or in the guest kitchen and starting from May 16 also through Gulliver App. With Gulliver App, our guests can exclusively connect with each other and the guests of 18 other hostels in Berlin. With just a few clicks you can connect to hundreds of travellers currently staying in Berlin and meet up for a crazy night out, a city tour or to grab some food together – all for free of course. During the next month, we’ll invite guests to try Gulliver during check in. Also there will be posters, flyers and even a Gulliver tablet station in the hostel. At the tablet station, the App will be running live showing which travellers are up for what so you’ll never to miss out on the opportunity to meet cool people from all over the world. In the App you’ll also get cool suggestions of things to do in Berlin and some sweet discount at restaurants and bars in the area.

Download GulliverApp

Gulliver is developed by three German and Swiss passionate travellers. The App is brand new so the guys will be in the hostel every now and then to see how you get along with Gulliver. Don’t be shy and say Hi to them 😉 We’re quite keen about the idea to use new technologies to bring people back together in real life again. What do you think? We’re interested in your opinion, just leave a comment here or just start the conversation with us in the hostel. See you soon and happy socializing at U inn Berlin Hostel!

Unbrace yourselves spring is coming

Posted on 7. April 2014 by U inn Berlin Hostel

This weekend spring finally kicks off! So it’s about time to give you a little update on what is going on in Berlin this spring. But first a little check-up to let you know the basics in 2014. The Berghain is still not letting you in, even after you waited for about 2 hours in the line. Sorry! The Eastside Gallery is still under threat by some greedy real estate investors. And on 25th of May the Berliners can vote on the future of the Tempelhofer Park, formally the U.S. Air Base Tempelhof.

Here are some concerts of the next weeks

First off we have the Punk & Disorderly Festival at Astra Kulturhaus from 11th – 13th of April. Punk/Ska and Oi Music for 3 days. You still can get a ticket at www.punk-disorderly.de. Same weekend different music style. Marteria a local hero plays at Max-Schmeling Halle in Prenzlauer Berg near the famous Mauerpark. Not to forget, Justin Timberlake at the O2 World and the Kaiser Chiefs @ Kesselhaus.

What’s up in May in Berlin

Berlin is very famous for its Airports. Tempelhof was one of the oldest Airports and became famous during the Berlin Airlift. Tegel Airport … well ok, nothing much to say about it. But our new Airport BER – Berlin Brandenburg International was covered in almost every major newspaper. How to put it the right way…? Well the airport is not finished yet. But soon, very soon, at least “they” say so. But still, in May the ILA 2014 will take place in Berlin. ILA is the leading Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. This year’s keynote will be held by “Bob the Builder” on how to build an airport “in time”.

If Robbie Williams flies in via EasyJet or if he use the train is still in the open. The Train station on Warschauer Strasse where the O2 World is located is under heavy construction right now and the most reliable way to get to the O2 World will be by boot. One thing for sure, fans of Tangerine Dream who will be playing at Admiralspalast in Mitte will fly in on their very own LSD Trip. And of course the big highlight in May will be the DFB Pokalfinale. Btw: WE DON’T CALL IT SOCCER!!!

What’s up in June in Berlin

June will almost be summer in Berlin. Definitely something we have to celebrate. How about some Arctic Monkeys @ Zitadelle or Black Sabbath at Wuhlheide, seasoned with a little bit of Aerosmith @ O2 World Berlin. For dessert we offer a colourful Christopher Street Day and the Fête de la Musique

What to do in Berlin on a rainy day

Posted on 9. January 2014 by U inn Berlin Hostel

A stroll along the Spree, visiting a beer garden, relaxing in a park, heading out of Berlin by bike to take a swim in a lake – doesn’t that sound wonderful? But right now it’s January. There is no sunshine you can enjoy, there is no breeze that warms your skin, there is no beer garden that welcomes you to have a seat and a cool beer.

Soundmonster@Flickr.com (CC BY-SA 2.0)

All that the January seems to offer is cold, damp and greyish weather and the best way to escape the cold that creeps everywhere is to spend the day on a sofa in front of the telly with a hot chocolate. But not in Berlin! Although Berlin does not offer any winter sports activities, there are still a lot of places which will make you forget that the weather is shitty and make you remember that you’re in one of the best cities in the world.

Alternatives on a rainy Day

So what is on the table? Berlin is not only a lively city during the summer months, even during the winter Berlin offers a variety of activities and most of them are weather resistant as well. With it’s over 180 Museums, exhibitions and gallery’s Berlin offers an historical or cultural interested guest a notable collection. I know you might say that museums aren’t much fun, stuffed with old pictures and ancient stones no one actually cares about. But hold on – you might want to change your mind once you give the Hamburger Bahnhof a go. The Hamburger Bahnhof is definatley worth a visit! Based in an old railway station from the 19th century, it offers a huge collection of contemporary art. Contemporary art? Well that’s basically the stuff you look at and think: “I’ve could have done that” – but would you have had the idea for it? Right now the Hamburger Bahnhof invites you to an exhibition of a group of artist, including Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol and quite a few younger aspiring artists. The things they do range from minimalistic sketches to geeky videos and crazy installations. Yes, if you’ve got the chance to see that you better not miss it!

Indoor activity’s in Berlin

But what if you are absolutely not into the whole museum business? Well let me sort that out: How about a huge Aquarium? Or are you more into playing with Lego bricks? Or maybe you fancy taking pictures with the celebrities at Madame Tussaud’s?

Berlin Bunker Tour

But if that’s too mainstream for you, we’ll figure out a more unique program. Why not explore the subterranean architecture with the “Berlin Unterwelten” and dare to climb down in an old World War 2 bomb shelter or a Cold War Nuclear War bunker? At least they are rain proof and you might as well learn some history and even hear some insider stories about what really happened underneath the surface.

Endless Clubbing in Berlin

As you can see, Berlin has a lot to offer during the Winter Season. If these alternatives don’t convince you here is our last resort. The Berlin Club Berghain opens its doors at midnight on Saturday and offers you a full accommodation till Monday morning. 😛

O2 World Berlin Friedrichshian

Posted on 16. November 2013 by U inn Berlin Hostel

The O2 World Berlin is located in Berlin Friedrichshain right on the River Spree next to the East-Side-Gallery. The O2 World Berlin is one of Germany’s biggest indoor sport and event centre. With its location right in the centre of Berlin its very easy to combine a weekend trip to Berlin with one of its many concerts or events. The O2 World Berlin is also home base for “Alba Berlin” and “Eisbären Berlin”. Alba Berlin is one of the most successfully team in Germany’s basketball league and the Eisbären Berlin are the kings of hockey. 7 times “Deutscher Meister”( 2005,2006,2009,2011,2012.2013) Any Questions :-P!!

Location of O2 World Berlin

Photo by Alive87@Flickr CC 2.0

The O2 World is located in Berlins night life district Friedrichshain. Just a few minutes from the Simon Dach Strasse and the Revaler Strasse with it’s many Clubs and Bar’s. Perfect for a typical Berlin after show or after hour party. The U inn Berlin Hostel is not far from the O2 World also located in Berlin Friedrichshain. Why not book your bed here and enjoy a weekend in Berlin.

Events at the O2 World Berlin

But it is not only about sports, the O2 World in Berlin Friedrichshain is also a venue for high class entertainment. With many concerts and shows the O2 World offers entertainment for everyone. You can easyly book tickets for the Eisbären or Alba on the O2 World Homepage. But be aware that many concerts sold out long in advance.

A short overview of Events and Concerts at the O2 World Berlin Friedrichshian

November:

Depeche Mode (25.11,27.11)
Placebo (28.11)

December:

Ice Age Live (5 – 8.12)
Nitro Circus (12.12)

January:

The Voice of Germany (02.01)
Scooter (11.01)
Michael Buble (21.01)

February:

Taylor Swift (07.02)
Ennio Morricone (11.02)
Andre Rieu (18.02)
Thirty Seconds to Mars 25.02)

March:

ISTAF Indooor (01.03)
James Blunt (03.03)
Night of the Jumps (7 – 8.03)
Status Quo (18.03)

April:

Santiano (12.04)
Justin Timberlake (24.04)

Our neighbourhood Friedrichshain

Posted on 6. October 2013 by U inn Berlin Hostel

Friedrichshain counts as Berlins hotspot for going out. Its packed with Cafés, galleries, clubs and bars. In the day time the students lay lazily in the sun and when dark comes they go raving. Every night Simon-Dach-Straße becomes the main attraction with thousands of visitors. Come here for a Currywurst at Curry66, Sundanese style Falafel, Indian food, Pakistani food, Vietnamese food or a Döner Kebab at the Warschauer Brücke. There is something for everyone.

Around the Boxhagener Platz and its side-streets are plenty of small stores. Berlin Designer shops are all over the place, yet some are hard to find. Some are hidden in backyards and out of view, but its well worth the search and if you ever find Big Brobot Prachtmädchen or Superschlüpfer you are in for a treat.

Ever since in the 90s Friedrichshain has been a home of the alternative scene and revolutionists. This is still the case here what with the squatted houses, self governing communities, colourful painted houses, loud music, graffiti and lots and lots of empty beer bottles. This belongs just as much to Berlin as the Museum-Island and Potsdamer Platz glasshouse.

Berlin Tour Guide

Posted on 26. July 2013 by U inn Berlin Hostel

Berlin is a big city and it is not easy to discover everything on your own. To make things easier we have put together a small list of guided tours. Some cover well known locations that are listed in every guide book, others to less known spots known mostly by the Berliners themselves. We´d like to present a few of them to you.

Vive Berlin

This tour weaves through Berlin’s history by visiting landmarks such as the impressive Brandenburg Gate, the notorious Berlin Wall and the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt….
The tours take place every day, 365 days a year. The meeting point is at
Potsdamer Platz #10 in front of the Balzac Coffee.
Definitely check out the Essential Berlin Tour
10 am Monday, 04pm Friday Duration: 3.5 hours
€ 12.00 Adults / € 10.00 Students
S-Bahn: S1, S2, S25; U-Bahn: U2 → Potsdamer Platz
www.viveberlintours.de

Finding Berlin Tours

Biking through Berlin! A great way to discover Berlin is to bike through it. Everyone can do it for the city is more or less flat. The Finding Berlin tours take you to see the real Berlin and shows you why so many people fall in love with this city and ending up to move to Berlin. Join Martin the tour guide, who loves his Classic–Vintage bikes, on a four hour long tour to Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Neukölln.
Schlesische Straße 29/30 @ Velosalon
Finding Berlin Tour from 25€ 4H
www.findingberlin-tours.com

Scooter Rent

Berlin and hinterland offer a lot! Make sure to have the right vehicle. By scooter you can explore the city relaxed and on your own, go shopping or simply drive to beautiful lakes and enjoying nature. It is ideal for sightseeing in pairs or groups. Just call them if you are interested, they are open daily!
Rotherstr. 16 (U-Bahn Station Warschauer Strasse)
www.rollerverleih-berlin.de/

Alternative Berlin

While most organized free tours merely offer the known to most tourist attractions, the Alternative Berlin tours offer you a great view into Berlin street life and subculture. They take you to see street art, old war bunkers, graffiti, reggae beach bar and might inform you about today’s not so legal open air party. These four hour tours takes you far away from the mainstream tourism.
Meeting point is under the TW-Tover in front of Starbucks
Cost: Free, but you are welcome to tip the guide.
Daily at 11am and 1 pm and each tour takes 3,5h
www.alternativeberlin.com

Skatehalle at the Cassiopeia/RAW in Berlin Friedrichshian

Posted on 29. June 2013 by U inn Berlin Hostel

Not far from the U inn Berlin Hostel in Friedrichshain you will find the Skatehalle at the RAW/Cassiopeia Complex. The Skatehalle isn’t just a famous spot for Berliners, lots of skaters from all over Europe come to visit with their boards. We have a lot of spots for outdoor activities but when the weather is bad its always good to have an alternative.
The Skatehalle is hosting many events and workshops. The next major event is held in July.
The BRIGHT – Tradeshow is held in Berlin(Yes it’s Fashion Week again) from the 3rd till the 5th of July. Every year there are cool new trends in fashion and boarding styles to browse through with an easy finish to the day chilling at the Skatehalle. They have put up a huge program for you.

Starting at 6 pm with the Supra Demo. The whole Supra Team is coming to the Skatehalle to show off their skills. The list of names is long and distinguished. Erik Ellington, Chad Muska, Lizard King, Tom Penny, Stevie Williams, Jim Grecco, Neen Williams, Terry Kennedy, Furby, Keelan Dadd, Spencer Hamilton, Boo Johnson, Lucien Clarke, Nick Tucker, Pat Rumney, Kevin Romar and Javier Sarmiento . Any questions?!

Later on from 9 pm be part of the Relentless “Cash 4 Tricks” Event. at “Betonhausen”.
A classic Battle. Only the best will earn the big buck.

If you still haven’t had enough you can stay the whole night for an “Experience Extraordinaire” Party over 3 Floors.

Top 5 Beach Bars and Chillout Spots in Berlin

Posted on 16. May 2013 by U inn Berlin Hostel

Visiting Berlin in the summer? Sure we have a lot to see. Like the Brandenburger Tor or the Museum island. But what do you do after a long day of sightseeing? In Berlin we like to hang out on the water. The River Spree and all the little canals spreading all over Berlin. That’s why it is a perfect location for the afternoon. An ice cold beer, electronic music and chilled sunset. That’s how a day in Berlin ends. Sure, gentrification is a big issue in Berlin, that’s why many of these bars had to close down in the last years. We will miss the Bar 25, Kiki Blofeld and these entire little chill out spots on the river Spree. But still where once the Berlin Wall divided the two districts Berlin Friedrichshain and Berlin Kreuzberg , on the river you still find a few really cool locations.

Yaam

Yaam is one of the oldest Beach Bars in Berlin. It’s like a little island of Jamaica right in the middle of Berlin. Here you always find a little peaceful beach and chilled reggae music. At night they do some good parties too. Right now the Yaam is under threat because of a luxury condo they want to build on this location. That’s why a move is already scheduled for 2013. The new location will be the area of the former Maria/Magdalena/Josef Club and Schilling Bridge.

Badeschiff

The Badeschiff is a very unique place. Since the river Spree isn’t particularly made for swimming. They transformed to old ships into a swimming pool on the river. Pretty awesome right?! A lot of people hanging out at the Badeshiff the whole day. Swimming, chilling, sun bathing and later on dancing since they also do a lot of open air parties in the summer months.

Club der Visionäre

Club der Visionäre aka CdV is a bar swimming on the water of a sidearm of the river together with the bar Freischwimmer it’s the favourite place for people from Kreuzberg and Friedrichhain to chill out on a long long Sunday afternoon. At the CdV there are always really good Dj’s playing. There are no big gigs, it’s more like they go and play in their own living room. So often you get the chance to meet some high ranking Djs.

Lichtpark

Lichtpark is one of the newer Open Air Party locations. For the weekend they provide for a small entry fee nice electronic music and a chilled location on the river. This place is often crowded by people who either just come or go to Kater Holzig Club or did not get in for the Sunday after hour party but still want to make party.

Admiralbrücke

During the summer the bridge and its grassy shores are alive with droves of Berliners, relaxing and chilling with some cheap späti beers. All whilst taking in the vibes from the buskers, acoustic groups, And any other manner of movers and shakers that swings by. Free entertainment at its best! Setting the groove all the way into the night.